Headline News

Brain-computer interface technology could help people who use wheelchairs

Americas, April 3 2011

Since the nineteen seventies, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface, or BCI, technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines. Recently, scientists demonstrated a small robotic vehicle directed by a person’s thoughts. The demonstration took place at the Swiss embassy… Continue Reading »

Seminar on Accessible Tourism for Tourist Boards and DMOs

Europe, April 2 2011

Brussels, 16 to 17 May 2011. Organised by ENAT, this seminar aims to give added impetus to Tourist Boards and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) that are spearheading the development of accessible tourism, helping them to develop their business, role and reputation as sector leaders, regionally, nationally and internationally. The Seminar… Continue Reading »

Seminar on Accessible Tourism for Tourist Boards and DMOs

Europe, April 2 2011

Brussels, 16 to 17 May 2011. Organised by ENAT, this seminar aims to give added impetus to Tourist Boards and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) that are spearheading the development of accessible tourism, helping them to develop their business, role and reputation as sector leaders, regionally, nationally and internationally. The Seminar… Continue Reading »

HOLLYWOOD: The largest tour company in Los Angeles is facing a lawsuit. Starline Tours is accused of discriminating against people with disabilities. If you’ve been to Hollywood, you’ve likely seen the double-decker buses. Starline Tours has been shuttling sightseers around for decades, but are all tourists treated equally? Not according… Continue Reading »

Fiji National Council for disabled people seek more accessible buses

Asia-Pacific, March 30 2011

Mar 30: The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons is looking into having discussions with government for the provision of more accessible buses in the future. Executive Director Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa said a certain category of disability especially disabled people confined to wheelchairs will not benefit from the free bus… Continue Reading »

Flat Rock Playhouse in US offers audio description service for blind people

Americas, March 28 2011

Mar 28: Flat Rock Playhouse has created a new opportunity for blind people to have an enhanced theatre experience. Sponsored by Asheville Eye Associates, the Playhouse will provide Audio Descriptive services during the final Saturday Matinee of nearly every 2011 Mainstage production. Audio Description is a verbal commentary that speaks… Continue Reading »

Bermuda Architect hopes to help improve accessibility

Americas, March 27 2011

Mar 27: Bermuda is praised for its beauty and unique architecture, but many residents and tourists face problems getting around. Disabled people in wheelchairs, moms with strollers, those with sight and hearing impairments and people with crutches often face obstacles in accessing buildings, bars and restaurants or even just heading… Continue Reading »

Technology helps visually impaired people to enjoy art

Europe, March 26 2011

UK, Mar 26: THE Long Gallery at Nottingham Castle is crowded with fine art – but how do you make it appeal to visitors who can’t see the exhibits? This was the task for Artfully Sighted, a group of people with a range of visual impairments who are all involved with the Nottinghamshire… Continue Reading »

Rotary promotes disability access in Canada

Americas, March 25 2011

Mar 25: Working out and improving fitness levels just got a little bit easier for those living with a disability in the North Cariboo, thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Quesnel. The gym at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre is now home to… Continue Reading »

Singapore aims to provide accessible digital content for people with disabilities

Asia-Pacific, March 23 2011

While we exploit technology and work on interoperability to share digital contents over multiple platforms, what we don’t realise is that we might inadvertently leave behind a group of individuals who may have difficulty accessing these digital content, said Chia Woon Yee, Director of Technology & Vocational Training at the… Continue Reading »

High Court in India asks architects body to contact survey of disability access of all government buildings

Asia-Pacific, March 22 2011

Nagpur, Mar 22: In a ray of hope for disabled and senior citizens, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has asked the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) to conduct a survey of all the government/semi-government buildings in the city on facilities being offered. The IIA has been told… Continue Reading »

MLA motion would improve accessibility for disabled people in Canada

Americas, March 20 2011

EDMONTON, Canada, Mar 20: When Marlin Styner entertains friends at his Red Deer home, the guests rarely return the favour. They want to invite him over but their homes weren’t built to accommodate the powered wheelchair he uses since he broke his neck in 1981. Now one of his friends,… Continue Reading »

Europeans target better web access for people with disabilities

Europe, March 17 2011

Mar 17: For people around the world the Internet has become the first port of call for most information. However, researchers in Hungary believe that much of the information posted on the web does not meet the demands of users with disabilities. Writing in the International Journal of Knowledge and… Continue Reading »

EnableMart teams with Microsoft Accessibility to educate educators on accommodating students with disabilities

Americas, March 16 2011

Mar 16: Thousands of disabled persons and the people who care for them will flock to San Diego this week to attend the 26th Annual International Persons with Disabilities Conference at the Manchester Grand Hyatt adjacent to Seaport Village. The conference, better known simply as CSUN to those in the… Continue Reading »

New iPhone application helps people with visual disabilities to read American currency

Americas, March 12 2011

Mar 11: Many countries print their currencies in different sizes or shapes in order to help blind people pay for things with greater confidence. In the U.S., however, a $1 bill and a $100 bill have exactly the same dimensions, making it difficult for America’s blind people to tell the… Continue Reading »

DPWH to strictly enforce Accessibility Law in Philippines

Asia-Pacific, March 9 2011

MANILA, Philippines, Mar 09: Saying it is not just a matter of implementing the law but also consideration for disabled people, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson has ordered the strict compliance to the special law on disabled persons which allows them easy access to government and private buildings. In a… Continue Reading »

Technology helps disabled people, but is expensive

Asia-Pacific, March 8 2011

India, Mar 08: Rohit Parekh Jain, a 20-year old from Chennai, with cerebral palsy and has not been able to communicate verbally all his life. But just over a year ago, in February last year, he spoke a sentence for the first time in his life after using Avaz, a… Continue Reading »

Israeli company to provide advanced bionic vision to blind people

Asia-Pacific, March 7 2011

JERUSALEM, Mar 07: An Israeli company will provide an advanced bionic vision device to help millions of blind people see the world. Herzilya-based Nano Retina is developing a prototype medical device, that “if all goes well” could be an answer to the prayers of people worldwide who suffer from impaired… Continue Reading »

Israeli company to provide advanced bionic vision to blind people

Asia-Pacific, March 7 2011

JERUSALEM, Mar 07: An Israeli company will provide an advanced bionic vision device to help millions of blind people see the world. Herzilya-based Nano Retina is developing a prototype medical device, that “if all goes well” could be an answer to the prayers of people worldwide who suffer from impaired… Continue Reading »

Gadgets help blind people to be independent

Europe, March 5 2011

UK, Mar 05: BLIND and partially sighted people have been trying out technology that could change their lives forever. Action for Blind People held a special open day in Sunderland to introduce those with sight impairments to the latest gadgets which could help them lead a more independent life. The… Continue Reading »

Gallery

About Us

The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) is the leading international organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and implementation of accessibility of the sustainable More information about GAATES